Koko: Yiri (West African)

Texture:

• Monophonic in the introduction
• Texture is driven by layered entries of the instruments
• Heterophonic texture when two balafons play different versions of same melody
• Little dynamic contrast
• Some unison singing

Harmony:

• Hexatonic tonality (based on 6 notes of the scale)
• Tonal centre based around Gb (tonic) and Db (dominant)

Instrumentation:

• Balafon (similar to xylophone)
• Djembe (hand drum)
• Talking drum (drum played with a hooked stick)
• Soloist voice and chorus singers

Rhythm:

• 4/4 time signuature (although some bars have been transcribed to suggest different meters)
• Introduction is in free time
• Syncopation frequently used throughout, noticeably in vocal and balafon parts
• Cross rhythms
• Drums play rhythmic ostinato

Melody:

• Hexatonic
• Balafon improvises solo breaks
• Chorus singers sing motifs that fall from high to low

Form:

• Introduction: solo balafon with tremolo
• Main section: ostinato drums with clear pulse, balafon solos and choruses, call and response in middle
• Coda: short phrase of balafon played 5 times in varied versions, bell sounded to mark end